I
am sharing one photo each week and one word that represents what I am grateful
for.
GRATEFUL WORD:
Vigilance. On June 26th, the United States Supreme Court cited that DOMA violated Due Process of the Fifth Amendment. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was created under the leadership of President George W. Bush, aimed at preventing same-sex couples from marrying or being recognized by the Federal Government. With DOMA being struck down, this clears the way for being one step closer to equality in this country. A long hard fight it has been so far. The next step will be to rid the constitutional amendments that states have specifically preventing same sex marriages, unions, or recognizing ANY type of same-sex relationship. With about 1/3 of the states offering same-sex marriages, with DOMA gone it is thought that many now will alter or enact laws to provide them in their state. I am vigilant that in my lifetime equality for all LGBT people will be achieved, and no longer will they have to suffer without the over 1,200 laws and benefits that apply to those who are able to get married.
Further, I understand that same-sex marriage may not fit what some churches, organized religions, and faiths call marriage. And since we are a secular nation, one without a national religion, I certainly at peace with that.
2013 Week photo:
About
the writer…
Royal
D. Bush was born and raised in the Omaha metro area raised in a single parent
family, with his Mother Mildred. His
first many years of life were spent in Bellevue, where he and his mother attended
church at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue.
Eventually Omaha became home, where as a young adult, Royal began
attending various worship services with friends and family before finally
calling MCC Omaha his home, where he went on to serve as Minister of
Hospitality.
In
2009, Royal founded Inclusive Life Pastoral Services; a Nebraska, nonprofit,
multifaith based organization that offers care and services to individuals,
couples and families who are not a part of church, organized religion, or have
a religious belief. He is ordained and
serves as a Chaplain. Inclusive Life
serves all without exception, religious and nonreligious. He continues to share his belief and message
that “You are beautiful, you are loved and you are worthy, just the way you
are. You are not alone.”
In
2012 he married his partner of five years, Jonathan. They share a home in the Dundee area of
Omaha. Today, Royal is a member and
attends service at the First Unitarian Church of Omaha. He currently is working on two projects: A 2
hour “You Retreat” that will be offered monthly, at no charge! It will focus on allowing people to
experience themselves in ways perhaps not experienced before or often. And secondly, he is studying and training for
knowledge with Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.
INCLUSIVE LIFE…
Since 2009 Inclusive Life has
offered religious and nonreligious care and services to individuals, couples
and families in Nebraska and Iowa. We understand that not everyone is a
part of a church or organized religion. We serve all without exception.
LIFE RITUALS: Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms, Naming
Ceremonies, Hospital Visits
COACHING: Premarital, Relationship and Grief
SHARING: Chapel Room, Daily Blogs, and Weekly Podcast
AROMATHERAPY: Compass Assessment, Essential Oils,
Natural: Home, Nutrition, and Skin Products
CLASSES: Meditation, Relationship, and Aromatherapy.
402-575-7006
3622
Leavenworth Street, Omaha, NE 68105
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